Manager On Backroom Team

Dougie Freedman speaks about the additions of Lennie Lawrence and Curtis Fleming to the coaching staff

Dougie Freedman has been speaking about the club’s new-look backroom team after it was confirmed on Wednesday that Curtis Fleming had joined from Crystal Palace.

The former Middlesbrough defender was appointed as first team coach, following on from Lennie Lawrence who took up the position as assistant manager last week.

Freedman said: “To be honest, the people that have been here already have been fantastic, but these guys (Lawrence and Fleming) know how I work and the standards I set.

“I think it is vital that is transmitted to the group as quickly as possible and I know Lennie and Curtis can do that at a quick rate.

“I believe that it’s two good additions for the club. The standards these guys bring are right up there with mine and I think it will be a positive move for the club.

“Lennie is very ambitious and he wants to see me succeed. He is in his sixties but he is far from winding down if you see how he works from day-to-day. He wants to be behind the success we will hopefully have with Bolton.”

Speaking about Fleming in particular, Freedman added: “Curtis is a wonderful coach. He is a good man, someone who is honest and is very trustworthy, and I think that’s what’s needed.

“He’s worked at the Middlesbrough academy with the kids and done a great job. He came down to Crystal Palace and did an equally as good job when working with the first team.

“He is someone that the club and players will benefit from every day, on-and-off the pitch. He brings a calmness and an honesty that people will respond to.”